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“how to leave a job you hate” |
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by Julie Kang
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Wednesday, September 09, 2009 09:10 AM |
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…is a phrase that has come up more than a few times on the HeelsConnect.com site analytics report. When people place that EXACT phrase into a search engine, they land on HeelsConnect.com because I’ve addressed this topic in previous blogs. And I'm addressing it again - for those who are experiencing this awful dilemma.
When I read this sentence, I want to scream “GIVE YOUR NOTICE TOMORROW!” Life is too short to live in misery. If you’re actually taking time to Google this (probably from work!), there’s a serious problem. Instead of finding a way to leave a job that you HATE, devote your energy to finding a job that you LOVE. I’m not so naïve to think that it’s easy to land another job, or that it’s possible for everyone to quit without securing another position first. I'm not even suggesting that you quit every time things become challenging at work; that's a different story. I do, however, know that sometimes you have to weigh the cost and benefit of staying in a job that is negatively impacting your life. It’s similar to staying in a relationship that you clearly know should end – now or later. Once you get over the initial breakup pain, you always reflect back and say “why didn’t I leave sooner?” Same goes for the company that you need to break up with – now or later – better to do it now.
In previous blogs, I’ve mentioned that my friend Yvette detested going to work, so much that it began to affect her mental health. She had rarely experienced headaches, but when her job became a dreadful chore, Yvette started getting awful headaches and even experienced anxiety. When it became clear that the stress inflicted by her job was not worth the monetary gain,... |
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i suck at almost everything |
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by Julie Kang
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Tuesday, September 01, 2009 07:32 PM |
Not being funny. It’s 100 percent true.
We live in a society that places value on being “well rounded.” Often you hear parents say “I just want my children to be well rounded.” Conversely, can you imagine someone saying “I don’t want my children to be well rounded?” Who doesn’t want to be a well-rounded person? ME!!
Dictionary.com’s definition of “well-rounded” is:
1. having desirably varied abilities or attainments.
2. desirably varied: a well-rounded curriculum.
3. fully developed; well-balanced.
Sounds perfect, right? A Jack of Many Trades and it achieves balance. Sounds great in theory, but what about in practice?
I would love to have many talents. For starters, I would love to have Christina Aguilera’s voice, Jennifer Lopez’s rhythm, Meryl Streep’s acting ability, Oprah’s...how do I describe this…her magical power, Brett Favre’s arm strength (my favorite quarterback), Michael Jordan’s competitive spirit, Tiger Wood’s unbelievable focus, Michelle Wang’s remarkable creativity, and last but not least, Sarah Jessica Parker’s sense of style (perhaps it’s Carrie Bradshaw’s sense of style I really want).
I possess none of the above (although I can throw a perfect spiral). Those are extreme examples; nonetheless, they help make my point. The most successful people are those who capitalize on one talent and turn it into an extreme strength. I recently read that the most accomplished people also possess... |
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by Julie Kang
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Friday, August 28, 2009 08:45 PM |
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I’m a total sucker for romantic comedies. Unfortunately, there haven’t been too many great ones in the last several years. As I wait for the next When Harry Met Sally, my favorite of all time, I still watch old chick flicks that never fail to transform me into a hopeless romantic – at least for the 2 hours I’m watching the movie.
Even though Sleepless in Seattle is not one of my favorites, it created a delusional fantasy in my life. I’ve lived in several cities and have traveled to many different states in the U.S., but I have never been to Seattle, Washington. And I don’t know if I can – even though my dear friend Kay lives there and has invited me to visit her. I’m afraid to be disappointed that my fantasy won’t come true.
After the first time I watched Sleepless in Seattle, I created a mini movie in my head. In this fictitious film – with me as the sole audience – I see myself walking out of Gate 21 (it’s my lucky number) at Seattle airport. As I look around for the baggage claim signs, I make eye contact with the love of my life – standing there in a rugged pair of jeans, wearing a t-shirt and a baseball cap. He looks like Ed Burns (yes, this is my fantasy) – my biggest actor crush. And it’s love at first sight. There you have it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought about flying to Seattle with this scene in mind. Are you thinking I’m nuts? I’m not. Just a hopeless romantic at times.
Since I’ve moved back to Los Angeles, my focus has been on work, work and work. Actually, since I adopted Rocket, my Jack Russell Terrier mix, it has been work, Rocket, and work. Some of my friends are concerned that I’m not dating. Whenever I catch up with a friend I’ve not spoken to for a while, he/she will inevitably ask me about my dating life and will make some comment like “You’re not getting any younger” or “You need to create some balance in your life.”
Really? I’m not getting younger? Thank goodness, someone enlightened me. Balance? Since age 16... |
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response to "who do you want when you're full?" |
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by Julie Kang
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Friday, August 28, 2009 07:10 AM |
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After reading “who do you want when you’re full,” Vanessa Torres, founder of ThatHappenedtoMe.com, wrote the following. ThatHappenedtoMe.com is a destination site for every woman who has recently ended a significant relationship. I love how Vanessa reminds us to NEVER underestimate our worth – something that is so true in our professional and personal lives. I hope you enjoy Vanessa’s blog as much as I did. Thanks Vanessa! By Vanessa Torres Julie, you bring up an excellent point When you sat down to that meal, you were already satisfied. You didn’t arrive at the restaurant starving, diving into the bread basket, stuffing your face and counting the minutes until your meal arrived. You were enjoying good company and waiting patiently for what the waiter had described as a surely delicious meal. When the food arrived, you wholeheartedly enjoyed every last bite. Often, when we are feeling lonely or frustrated with our lives, our judgment becomes clouded and we "eat" unconsciously.
If we’ve been hurt by a guy, we run out and look for his exact opposite. If we haven’t dated in awhile, we jump on the first guy who offers to buy us a latte. Bad idea. Likewise, with the economy in a state of flux, many of us are forced to take jobs we don’t feel passionate about – or stay in jobs that make us miserable. Like your latte date, these may not be the best options, but we go ahead and pounce anyway.
It’s no coincidence that dating and career coaches repeatedly tell us the same thing - never underestimate your worth. Because doing so... |
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